NBA Rumors: Gordon Hayward, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, has been linked to possibly signing with the Miami Heat
There’s no question that the job the Miami Heat have done this season – especially after losing Dwyane Wade just a few months ago – has been anything short of exceptional.
This is a team that started the season 11-30. ELEVAN AND THIRTY. They were talked about in the same way that we talk about the Brooklyn Nets now – the worst team in the NBA. It was not a question as to whether the Heat were going to get a top 10 pick, it was whether it would fall in the top 2.
However, after winning 26 of their last 34 games, Miami now sits in the 7th spot of the Eastern Conference and only two games behind the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks for the 6th and 5th seed, respectively.
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Amazing.
Despite all this, I don’t think anyone is penciling the Heat as a real threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. But that has more to do with the lack of a true star being present on the roster. Dion Waiters, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside have had great years for the Heat, but neither would be mistaken for a star.
Miami needs a star, and that could be changing soon. According to the New York Daily News’ Frank Isola, there are already “whispers” that if the Utah Jazz fail to re-sign Gordon Hayward, he could find his way to the Miami Heat.
"[via New York Daily News]Riley has a home court advantage because Miami is a prime free agent destination. The weather, the zero state income tax and the chance to play for a top franchise are too good for a lot of players to turn down. There are already whispers that if Utah can’t re-sign Gordon Hayward he could end up in Miami."
As is always the case, the Jazz have the opportunity to offer Hayward the most money when he hits free agency. Specifically, next summer, he could make a whole lot more money.
If Hayward makes an All-NBA team this season, which many expect him to do so, he could sign a “super max” (35% of salary cap) contract next summer – he will have only played seven seasons after this year and in order to qualify for the “super max” he would need to have played eight or nine.
So, it would make a lot of sense for Hayward to sign essentially a one-year deal, and then re-up for the “super max” next season.
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He would have to leave money on the table – even more if he makes an All-NBA team this season – in order to sign with the Miami Heat, or even a team like the Boston Celtics. Though, there will be interest. And a lot of it.